NH3 distributor monitoring system and method

• US 8,564,658 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PGI International LTD (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PGI International LTD (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Nimberger, Spencer M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer, Firmin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Emdadi, Keyvan
• Application Number:
  US12/235,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20100073473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/120
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/024 for ammonia

Abstract

An anhydrous ammonia distribution system includes a portable nurse tank 12 powered by an operator cab 13. One or more distributors 22 receive anhydrous ammonia from the nurse tank, and a plurality of knife hoses 30 deliver anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a selected number of knives 31 for delivery to the field. Pressure gauge 32, 34 is provided for monitoring pressure at one or more distributors, and a camera 42 positioned within enclosure 40 transmits a reading from the pressure gauge to the operator cab, thereby alerting the operator to a malfunction in the delivery system.

Claims

1. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system for delivering liquid anhydrous ammonia to a field via an operator cab, including a portable tank powered by the operator cab for holding liquid anhydrous ammonia, one or more distributors each for receiving liquid anhydrous ammonia from the tank, and a plurality of knife hoses for delivering liquid anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the system further comprising:

a pressure gauge for monitoring liquid pressure of the anhydrous ammonia at the distributor to determine if flow to the plurality of knives is restricted;

a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab; and

a camera for transmitting a reading from the pressure gauge to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.

2. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a weather-tight enclosure for mounting on a tool bar for housing a respective pressure gauge and the camera; and

a pressure hose for transmitting a pressure signal from the distributor to the pressure gauge.

3. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera transmits a continuous video of pressure gauge reading to the monitor, which is mounted on the operator cab.

4. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 2, wherein the camera is powered by a battery positioned within the enclosure.

5. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 4, wherein the camera contains one or more LED lights to provide illumination.

6. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein the portable tank supplies liquid anhydrous ammonia to a plurality of distributors.

7. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of distributors are supported on a tool bar which is raised to remove blockage to the plurality of knives.

8. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein a camera is powered by a battery supported on the operator cab.

9. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system for delivering liquid anhydrous ammonia to a field via an operator cab, including a portable tank powered by the operator cab for holding liquid anhydrous ammonia, a plurality of distributors each supported on a tool bar for receiving liquid anhydrous ammonia from the nurse tank, and a plurality of knife hoses for delivering liquid anhydrous ammonia from each of the plurality of distributors to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the system further comprising:

a plurality of pressure gauges each for monitoring liquid pressure of the anhydrous ammonia at a respective distributor;

a weather-tight enclosure for housing the plurality of pressure gauges;

a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab; and

a camera for transmitting a reading from the plurality of pressure gauges to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.

10. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of pressure hoses for transmitting a liquid pressure signal from the plurality of distributors to a respective pressure gauge.

11. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 9, wherein the camera transmits a continuous video of pressure gauge readings to the monitor, which is mounted on the operator cab.

12. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 11, wherein the camera is powered by a battery positioned within the enclosure.

13. An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system as defined in claim 12, wherein the camera contains one or more LED lights to provide illumination.

14. A method of monitoring anhydrous ammonia back pressure at a distributor, including powering a portable tank by an operator cab for holding liquid anhydrous ammonia, transporting liquid anhydrous ammonia from the portable tank to one or more distributors, and delivering liquid anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the method further comprising:

sensing liquid pressure of anhydrous ammonia at the distributor with a pressure gauge;

positioning a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab; and

transmitting a camera reading from the pressure gauge to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

mounting a weather-tight enclosure on the tool bar for housing a respective pressure gauge; and

transmitting a liquid pressure signal from a distributor to a respective pressure gauge via a hose.

16. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the camera transmits a video of pressure gauge readings to a monitor mounted in the tractor cab.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the camera is powered by a battery positioned on the operator cab.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the camera contains one or more LED lights to provide illumination.

19. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the nurse tank supplies anhydrous ammonia to a plurality of distributors.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of distributors are supported on a tool bar which is raised to remove blockage to the plurality of knives.